也許我們都曾有過類似的經驗──當我們全心投入某件事時，一種難以言喻的喜悅突然湧上心頭，彷彿時間都停止了。這種感覺意味著我們正在超越自我，進入真正的當下。例如，當我們沉浸在一本扣人心弦的小說中時，文字彷彿在眼前跳躍；或者，當我們進行創作時，靈感湧現，筆、手、思緒融為一體；甚至當我們在運動中挑戰極限時，呼吸與節奏也完美地協調。這時，我們的情緒往往會進入一種穩定的流動狀態──就像山泉一樣。這種完全沉浸其中、忘卻自我的體驗，正是專注最神奇的魅力所在。
當我們全神貫注於當下，大腦達到高度清晰的狀態，壓力和焦慮逐漸消散，取而代之的是專注帶來的穩定和平靜。然而，這種狀態轉瞬即逝，就像水面上的漣漪，一旦日常煩惱出現，就很容易被打破。當我們回歸生活的各個層面，本能、情感和習慣再次驅動我們的思維和行為，我們又會再次陷入對過去的遺憾或對未來的焦慮，讓當下的珍貴瞬間悄悄溜走。
在心靈深處，本能、情緒和習慣共同形成了一個面具，成為了我們的自我。這個面具遮蔽了我們的核心意識，誤導我們認為這就是真正的自己，讓我們沉迷於遙遠的目標而忽略了當下的現實。結果，我們忽略了探索新事物，而是沿著既定的軌跡重複過去的選擇，受到舊習慣、舊思維的束縛。自我曾經在人類進化中扮演關鍵角色——在古代，它是一種生存工具，使人們能夠快速感知危險、對野生動物或敵人做出反應並逃脫。它的作用簡單而直接：生存。然而，隨著文明的發展，生存需要更多的意識，但自我的防衛機制卻沒有消退，反而潛伏在心靈中，持續影響我們的情緒和行為。
隨著時間的流逝，原本為了生存而形成的自我，漸漸地變成了我們的負擔。它不斷驅使我們滿足本能的需求，追求眼前的、短暫的樂趣，卻悄悄地切斷了我們與別人的真正聯繫，遮蔽了我們內心的真相。我們沉迷於快速反應的虛假回報，而忽略了關係的深度和自我探索的需要。更令人擔憂的是，自我往往很脆弱，一句無意之語，一個突如其來的變化，都可能激起強烈的憤怒或悲傷，影響我們的判斷。不知不覺中，我們被習慣所牽引，陷入日常的重複，使得意識難以真正成長和轉變。
當本能或習慣需求的滿足受到阻礙，自我就會像受傷一樣產生劇烈反應，出現焦慮、憤怒、憂鬱等負面情緒。這些情緒如果不斷積累，就會像洪水一樣洶湧澎湃，最後衝破身心的堤防。更讓人疑惑的是，即使自我滿足了，也未必是一種福氣。當這種滿足感轉化為自我膨脹，導致過度自信、盲目樂觀等，我們的意識就更容易被蒙蔽，看不到隱藏的風險和真實的情況。無論是痛苦或興奮，一旦與自我相關，往往會讓我們遠離真正的平靜與平衡。
適度的憤怒能激發正義，悲傷能幫助我們化解失落──這些情緒原本都是內在智慧的體現，是調節身心、應對現實世界的訊號。然而，一旦被自我引導，我們的情緒就不再簡單和純粹。它們被誇大、扭曲，成為自我繼續壓迫生命的工具。過去的傷痛不斷重現，彷彿傷疤被再次撕開；對未來的擔憂也不斷蔓延，籠罩著我們的意識，模糊了我們對現實的感知。當自我干擾了情緒的訊號，我們就會被誤導，做出脫離現實的反應，最後陷入情緒的漩渦中無法自拔。
在現代生活中，許多人習慣在使用手機時不自覺地瀏覽社交媒體。他們的目光不斷在新訊息上流連，卻無法真正專注於當下的任務，也很難與周遭的人進行深入的溝通。這種分心不僅浪費時間，而且分散注意力。當我們慣性地分心，眼前的世界就會逐漸變得模糊，意識也會變得飄忽不定。如果我們無法擺脫這種慣性循環，那麼自我就會不斷把我們拉離真正自主的生活。我們可能以為自己在做選擇，但實際上我們總是被外在刺激所牽引，無法獲得真正的選擇自由。
真正的專注並非只是短暫的心流體驗，而是一種自由的的體現──我們主動掌控自己的思維，不被情緒拖累，也不被外界干擾。這意味著我們能夠清楚地認識到當下的因果，並且能夠成熟地管理自己的情緒，並保持穩定的心態。然而，專注力並非一朝一夕就能培養出來的，它是一種需要長期訓練的能力。只有透過不斷的練習，我們才能獲得成熟的意識，實現真正的專注。冥想和正念練習可以有效提升專注力，讓我們對當下更敏感，減少情緒干擾。專注，不僅存在於大局決策中，也存在於小行動中。一次只做一件事，即使只是翻開一頁書並集中注意力，都能加深意識；就像水滴石穿一樣，逐漸建立起更強的心理穩定性。
單純從情緒培養出來的，往往只是一個更強大的自我，而不是真正成熟的意識。當情緒主導心靈時，自我就會在其中尋求存在感；它不斷放大情緒的強度，使我們陷入憤怒、焦慮或興奮，從而強化它的影響力。這是一個無奈的困境──自我透過情緒而變得更加強大，而情緒又在自我的影響下不斷積累，像漩渦一樣將我們吞噬，使得心靈無法真正地成長和突破。因此，在自我的掌控下，情緒逐漸佔據了生命的中心，讓我們誤以為它們才是生活的真正需要，卻忽略了自己真正渴望的是深度的平靜和不斷的超越。
從日常的場景中，我們也能深刻體會到擺脫自我的重要性。自我常常讓我們過度在意自己的感受，而忽略了事物的本質。當面臨批評或分歧時，情緒往往佔上風，不僅引起我們內心的衝突，也會導致與別人的衝突，從而掩蓋和忽視真正的解決方案。相反，如果我們能夠擺脫自我的影響，冷靜地分析對方的意圖，並以建設性的方式表達自己的觀點，那麼我們不僅可以解決問題，還可以建立更深的信任。在家庭中，情緒管理是維繫親密關係的關鍵；平靜的言語、耐心的傾聽往往能消除誤會，拉近彼此的距離。當我們的情緒不再受自我影響，能夠以清晰的意識主導溝通時，人際關係就能朝著更和諧的方向發展。
自我的存在原本是一種防衛機制，填補了意識的空白，讓我們在面對未知時能夠快速反應，尋求安全。然而，對失敗的恐懼使我們猶豫不決，對死亡的恐懼使我們逃避挑戰。如果這些情緒得不到正確的引導，就會轉化成焦慮和困惑，使我們遠離真正的智慧和自由。因此，只有積極創造專注的時刻，讓意識回歸當下，我們才能擺脫自我的束縛，獲得真正的內心平靜，並掌控生命的方向。
只要我們真正專注於當下，用意識而不是自我來引導我們的生活，自由、幸福、平和與滿足就不再是一個遙不可及的夢想，而是會體現在我們的生活中，成為我們真實的日常體驗。讓理性與意識引導我們前行，我們就能掙脫自我的束縛，真正掌控自己的一切。當我們不再執著於過去，以清醒的頭腦面對未來時，我們不僅能活得精彩自由，更能用智慧影響世界、啟發別人，成為真正的改革者。
10. 運用批判式思維 (上一篇)
12. 優雅反映和諧的身心
(下一篇)
目錄
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The path to Tranquility (11)
Get rid of the control of ego
Perhaps we have all had similar experiences – when we devote ourselves to something, an indescribable joy suddenly surges into our hearts, as if time has stopped. This feeling means that we are transcending the ego and entering the true present. For example, when we are immersed in a gripping novel, the words seem to jump before our eyes; or when we are creating, inspiration surges, and the pen, hand, and thoughts merge into one; even when we challenge our limits in sports, our breathing and rhythm are perfectly coordinated. At this time, our emotions tend to enter a stable flow state – just like a mountain spring. This experience of being completely immersed in it and forgetting one's ego is the most magical charm of concentration.
When we focus on the present moment, our brains reach a state of heightened clarity, and stress and anxiety gradually dissipate, replaced by the stability and calmness that comes with focus. However, this state is fleeting, like ripples on the water, and can be easily broken once daily worries emerge. When we return to all aspects of life, instincts, emotions, and habits once again drive our thinking and behavior, and we will once again fall into regrets about the past or anxiety about the future, letting the precious moments of the present slip away.
Deep in the mind, instincts, emotions, and habits together form a mask that becomes our ego. This mask obscures our core consciousness, misleading us into thinking that this is who we really are, and makes us obsessed with distant goals while ignoring the reality of the present. As a result, we neglect to explore new things, but repeat past choices along the established trajectory, bound by old habits and old thinking. The ego once played a key role in human evolution - in ancient times, it was a survival tool that enabled people to quickly sense danger, respond to wild animals or enemies, and escape. Its role was simple and direct: survival. However, as civilization developed, survival required more consciousness, but the defense mechanism of the ego did not subside. Instead, it lurked in the mind and continued to affect our emotions and behavior.
Over time, the ego, originally formed for survival, gradually becomes a burden to us. It constantly drives us to satisfy our instinctive needs and pursue immediate and short-term pleasures, but quietly cuts off our true connection with others and obscures the truth in our hearts. We indulge in the false rewards of quick response and ignore the depth of relationship and the need for self-exploration. What is more worrying is that the ego is often fragile. An unintentional word or a sudden change may arouse strong anger or sadness and affect our judgment. Unconsciously, we are pulled by habits and fall into daily repetition, making it difficult for consciousness to truly grow and transform.
When the satisfaction of instinctive or habitual needs is hindered, the ego will react violently as if it were injured, and negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression will appear. If these emotions continue to accumulate, they will surge like a flood, and finally break through the embankment of the body and mind. What is even more confusing is that even if the ego is satisfied, it may not be a blessing. When this sense of satisfaction turns into self-inflation, leading to overconfidence and blind optimism, our consciousness is more easily blinded and we cannot see the hidden risks and the real situation. Whether it is pain or excitement, once it is related to the ego, it often keeps us away from true peace and balance.
Moderate anger can inspire justice, and sadness can help us resolve loss. These emotions are originally the embodiment of inner wisdom, and are signals for regulating the body and mind and coping with the real world. However, once guided by the ego, our emotions are no longer simple and pure. They are exaggerated and distorted, becoming tools for the ego to continue to oppress life. The pain of the past keeps reappearing, as if the scars are torn open again; worries about the future also continue to spread, shrouding our consciousness and blurring our perception of reality. When the ego interferes with the signals of emotions, we will be misled, react out of touch with reality, and finally fall into the vortex of emotions and cannot extricate ourselves.
In modern life, many people are used to unconsciously browsing social media while using their mobile phones. Their eyes are constantly lingering on new messages, but they cannot really focus on the current tasks and it is difficult to have in-depth communication with the people around them. This distraction not only wastes time, but also distracts attention. When we are distracted habitually, the world in front of us will gradually become blurred and consciousness will become erratic. If we cannot break out of this inertial cycle, then the ego will continue to pull us away from truly autonomous life. We may think we are making choices, but in fact we are always pulled by external stimuli and cannot gain true freedom of choice.
True concentration is not just a short-term flow experience, but a manifestation of freedom - we take control of our own thoughts, not being dragged down by emotions or disturbed by the outside world. This means that we can clearly recognize the cause and effect of the present moment, and can maturely manage our emotions and maintain a stable state of mind. However, concentration is not something that can be cultivated overnight. It is an ability that requires long-term training. Only through continuous practice can we gain mature consciousness and achieve true concentration. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can effectively improve concentration, make us more sensitive to the present, and reduce emotional interference. Concentration exists not only in big-picture decisions, but also in small actions. Doing one thing at a time, even if it is just turning a page of a book and focusing, can deepen consciousness; just like water dripping through a stone, gradually build stronger psychological stability.
What is cultivated purely from emotions is often just a stronger ego, not a truly mature consciousness. When emotions dominate the mind, the ego will seek a sense of existence in it; it constantly amplifies the intensity of emotions, causing us to fall into anger, anxiety or excitement, thereby strengthening its influence. This is a helpless dilemma - the ego becomes stronger through emotions, and emotions continue to accumulate under the influence of the ego, swallowing us like a whirlpool, making it impossible for the mind to truly grow and break through. Therefore, under the control of the ego, emotions gradually occupy the center of life, making us mistakenly believe that they are the real needs of life, but ignoring that what we really desire is deep peace and continuous transcendence.
From daily scenes, we can also deeply appreciate the importance of getting rid of the ego. The ego often makes us overly concerned about our own feelings and ignore the essence of things. When faced with criticism or disagreements, emotions often prevail, causing not only conflicts within us, but also conflicts with others, thus covering up and ignoring the real solution. On the contrary, if we can get rid of the influence of the ego, calmly analyze the other party's intentions, and express our views in a constructive way, then we can not only solve the problem, but also build deeper trust. In the family, emotional management is the key to maintaining close relationships; calm words and patient listening can often eliminate misunderstandings and bring people closer together. When our emotions are no longer affected by the ego and can lead communication with a clear consciousness, interpersonal relationships can develop in a more harmonious direction.
The existence of the ego is originally a defense mechanism, filling the gaps in consciousness, allowing us to react quickly and seek safety when facing the unknown. However, the fear of failure makes us hesitant, and the fear of death makes us avoid challenges. If these emotions are not properly guided, they will turn into anxiety and confusion, keeping us away from true wisdom and freedom. Therefore, only by actively creating moments of focus and returning consciousness to the present can we break free from the shackles of the ego, gain true inner peace, and control the direction of our lives.
As long as we truly focus on the present and use consciousness rather than the ego to guide our lives, freedom, happiness, peace and satisfaction will no longer be an unattainable dream, but will be reflected in our lives and become our real daily experience. Let reason and consciousness guide us forward, we can break free from the shackles of the ego and truly control everything about ourselves. When we no longer cling to the past and face the future with a clear mind, we can not only live a wonderful and free life, but also use wisdom to influence the world, inspire others, and become true reformers.
On May 11, 2023
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